9H Research Project

Goal: The goal of this project is to garner a better understanding of research material and its integration into informative writing. This project is aligned with the Maryland State Standards for research skills.

Task: It is your task to research an author of any relevance that will provide an abundance or information. The author may be of any nationality as long as his/her work has been established as a driving force in the literary world.

In a well developed report, a 500 word essay, you will be presenting a valid thesis statement with research-supported documentation. It is your decision as to what you will be arguing on behalf of your author.

*Academic Honesty Disclaimer


  • The author research essay is an independent project. Unauthorized assistance on any portion of this project will resort in a zero percent for the entire project.
  • Furthermore, each student’s Wikispace login is unique to the individual and must not be shared. In addition, you may not access or post information on a link other than your own. A violation of digital citizenship will result in a zero for the entire project.

General Requirements:
  1. A parallel thesis statement that is placed in appropriately in an inverted pyramid style introduction.
  2. Three solid body paragraphs that correlate to and support the prongs of your thesis, as well as utilize proper parenthetical documentation.
  3. A concluding paragraph that includes a restatement of your thesis in a different format and offers final insights/thoughts on your author.
  4. You must utilize no more than two direct quotations. All other documented information must follow a paraphrase format.
  5. A multi-source, MLA format correct, works cited page
  6. MLA format must be used for the entire paper
  7. All papers require two reputable internet sources, in addition to two periodicals/books
  8. Students must present evidence of the writing process with the final draft (e.g. prewriting, outline, first draft, revisions etc.)
  9. The final draft must be at least 500 typed words, but no more than 600.
  10. Maintain an accurate account of all sources and notes sheet in case a source is called.
  11. Avoid the need to document in the introductory and concluding paragraphs

Note Taking Requirements:
1. Each source must have a correct MLA citation on the top of the entry
2. You must take twenty notes for each of the four sources (Eighty Total)
3. Two sources must be reputable internet sources
4. Two sources must be reputable print sources

Sample Topics:
How has the outdoors impacted Ernest Hemingway's writing?

What impact did Upton Sinclair's writing have on US Law at the turn of the century?

What impact did the Harlem Renaissance have on Zora Neale Hurston's writing?

MLA Link
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/

Sample Outline:


Thesis Generator Link:

http://corptrain.phoenix.edu/thesis_generator/thesis_generator.html




Due Dates / Research Schedule:
  1. Author Approval: December 1, 2010 (Must be presented on an index card during class)
  2. Topic Approval: December 1, 2010 (Must be submitted at the end of class in writing)
  3. Thesis Approval: December 2, 2010 (Must be submitted at the end of class in writing)
  4. Outline: December 3, 2010 (Must be submitted at the end of class in writing)
  5. Wikispace Notes: December 7, 2010 (Must be on your Wikispace by 4 PM)
  6. Rough Draft: December 9, 2010 (Must be submitted at the beginning of class)
  7. Revisions: December 10, 2010 (Must be completed in a contrasting color ink on your rough draft at the beginning of class)
  8. Final Draft: December 13, 2010 (Must be submitted along with your outline, rough draft, and revisions at the begnning of class)